Stopple



Oct. 18,1927.

w. F. SCHACHT STOPPLE Filed Feb. 24, 1925 gmmm KUJKW FM Patented a. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM I. SCHACHT, 0F HUNTINGTON, INDIANA.

STOPPLE.

Application med February 24, 1925. Serial No. 11,279.

This invention is a novel improvement in stopples or stoplpers, such as shown in my U. S. Letters atents No. 901,195, dated October 13, 1908, and No. 923,585, dated June 1, 1909, which stopples are especially designed for use in connection with ordinary house sinks wherein the outlet of the sink is customarily covered by a screen or strainer and is not intended ordinarily to H) be closed; also for use in connection with ordinary wash basins and tubs or the like, and for use as a substitute for the ordinary metallic or hard rubber stopples commonly employed.

The rincipal object of the invention is to provident thin flexible and elastic stopple preferably of soft rubber adapted to be placed over the sink screen or strainer, to close the perforations therein and thereby prevent the escape of water or other liquid from the sink, so that the same can be filled with liquid and used as a tub for washing dishes, clothes, and the like.

It has heretofore been customary to make stopples with their central portions thicker or heavier than their edge or rim portions, which rim portions have heretofore been generally thin or light, but such stopples have not proven satisfactory or practical, since the thin edges or rim portions of stopples of this character will curl out of shape, letting the liquid seep past the stopple, and hence in a very short time the stopple becomes practically useless. Furthermore, the thick or heavy central portions of such stopples will not permit the stopple to readily conform to the shape of the strainer or drain to which the stopple is applied.

In my novel improved stopple the central portion thereof is made thinner than the edge or rim portions thereof, the thin central portion permitting the stopple to more readily conform with the shape of the sink strainer, and hence enhancing the, suction of the stopple upon the sink and rendering the stopple more effective in reventing the liquid from passing from t e sink, means being provided upon the thick edge or rim portion of the stopple for readily raising the rim to break the suction when it is de-.

sired to release the stopple the thick or heavy edge or rim portion prevents the edge of the stopple from curling out of shape, thus preventing the seepage of liquid past the sto ple.

I wiil explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my novel stopple.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a section on the line 3'3, Figure 1.

As shown, the stop le comprises a thin molded circular diskike body portion of elastic material, preferably of soft flexible rubber, so that the same will readily conform with the contour of the surface upon which the stopple is placed. The body portion may be of any suitable diameter, and its lower face 1" is preferably flat, and adapted to contact directly with a sink strainer, or the like upon which the sto la is to be applied. In the upper face of e stopple is provided a circular recess 1, concentric with the vertical axis of the stopple whereby the central portion of the stopple is much thinner than the ed e or rim portion of the same. If desire one or more annular ribs 1, concentric with the vertical axis of the stop le may be provided upon the upper face of the stopple, within the recess 1", to prevent warping of the thin central portion of the stopple, said ribs 1 being preferably molded integral with the body portion.

The ed e or rim portion 1 of the stopple is molded thicker than the central portion thereof to prevent the edges of the stopple from curling or becoming out of shape thereby insuring that the stopple will effectively prevent the liquid from passing the same. The thick rim portion 1", furthermore strengthens the periphery of the stopple.

At the center of the stopple projecting from the upper face of the portion 1" an perpendicular to the plane of the stopple, is an integral lug 1", preferably rectan ar in shape, although the same may be 0 any other shape, said lug being molded upon the portion 1", and having an eye 1 therein adapted to loosely receive the usual metallic ring 1 whereby the stolpple may be readily handled and hung up w en not in use. The stopple can be manipulated by hand by grasping the lug 1 or ring 1', or if desired, a chain or cord can be attached to said ring. If desired the lug 1 may'be reinforced with fabric or canvas as shown in my aforesaid patents. 7

Upon the rim portion 1 of the stopple is molded an integral knob 1 adapted to forma handle whereby the thick rim 1 of the stopple may be readily raised to break the suction under the stopple, when it is desired to release the stopple from the sink.

By making the central portion of the stopple thin and the rim portion heavy, a greater suction is created to hold the stopple in place, and when the stopple is so placed in the sink it is almost impossible to pull same away from the sink by the rin 1, but when it is desired to remove or re ease the stopple from the sink the rim-1 may be readily raised by lifting the knob 1", thereby breaking the suction under the stopple, whereby same may be readily removed.

The stopple thus molded is efiective, strong, and flexible, and will form a water tight closure over the sink strainer or drain. I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing, for obviously minor chan es may be made therein within the scope o the claim.

I claim:

A stopple comprising a thin rubber disk of substantially uniform thickness havin a flat lower face, and having an integra thick wide flat rim portion; a centrally disposed handle integral therewith; and a knob integral with the rim portion and projecting perpendicular to the plane of the stopple, whereb the rim may be readily raised to break t e suction under the stopple when it is desired to release the stopple.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM F. SCHACHT. 

